We read or hear the word שלום (shalom) and immediately think of “peace.” This word is one of those Hebrew words that many people know. However, the definition of “peace” does not plumb the depths of the true meaning and idea of “Shalom.” Likewise, Shalom is used in contemporary Hebrew as a greeting. This is not a new contrivance. Shalom has been used as a greeting for millennia. In using Shalom as a greeting we might think that we are asking, “are you at peace”? However, the word shalom is far more incisive.

There are two ways in which we will approach our study of the word Shalom. The first will lexical. The second will be conceptual.

We will begin in brief with the lexical definition of Shalom.

Those who have an elementary understanding of languages know that words are usually based on word roots or foundations. This is the case with Shalom. Shalom is based on the Hebrew word Shalam. This is the parent word for all the words in the Shalom family. The lexical definition (in brief) for shalam is as follows. Being whole, complete, finished, restored, uninjured, safe, rewarded (especially for good), payed for services. It also means tranquility, well, free from fault, happy, mature, sound, blessed laughing and a covenant of peace. As a result, of the lexical ideas found in the parent word shalam the word shalom fosters the same fundamental ideas. For example the fuller meaning of shalom would be complete, sound, welfare, safety, health, prosperity, peace and friendship.